The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached a settlement with Evolv Technologies over claims that the company repeatedly misled customers about its weapons detection systems.
According to the FTC complaint, Evolv marketed its Express scanner as an advanced "weapons detection" system powered by artificial intelligence, when in reality it functions similarly to a standard metal detector - but at up to five times the cost.
The settlement specifically targets how Evolv promoted its technology to educational institutions. The company can no longer make unsubstantiated claims about the system's ability to detect weapons, ignore harmless items, or operate more efficiently than traditional metal detectors.
Recent real-world testing has highlighted issues with the technology's effectiveness. In New York City subway trials this summer, the scanners generated over 100 false alerts while failing to detect any actual firearms across nearly 3,000 searches. This aligns with earlier warnings from Evolv's own CEO Peter George, who had stated that subway environments were "not a good use case" for their system due to railway interference.
Under the settlement terms, Evolv must allow educational facilities to immediately cancel their contracts. While the agreement only applies to marketing directed at schools, the company's admitted misrepresentations may give pause to potential customers in other sectors like hospitals and transit systems.
The FTC order specifically prohibits Evolv from making misleading claims about:
- Weapons detection capabilities
- False alarm rates
- Screening speed
- Cost savings
- Testing results
- Use of AI and algorithms
This regulatory action comes as increased scrutiny falls on companies marketing AI-enhanced security solutions, particularly those aimed at preventing violence in schools and public spaces.